In 1995, this little readers’ poll started with a one-page ballot printed in the paper. To vote, folks filled out the 78 questions with a pencil or a pen and delivered it to Coast headquarters where staffers compiled the winners into the first-ever The Good, The Bad and The Ugly awards.

Twenty-five years later, over 47,000 people have nominated and voted (digitally!) for the nearly 600 winners that grace these pages: the restaurants, retailers, city councillors, public spaces and hardworking people that made an impression on the city this year. Here’s to you, Halifax, for making this the best Best Of yet.